LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

After re-reading "Aircraft Carrier" by Winton I decided to look for a pilot who might form a basis for "Skipper". James Edmundson came to mind because he is always quoted when the BPF is written about. Can anyone tell me about his career prior to joining his first squadron (899?). I have found that a Midshipman JB Edmundson served 1940-41/2 on the battlecruiser Repulse, the destroyer Arrow and the battleship Nelson however in Navy Blue Fighter Pilot it is stated he served in minesweepers.

If he was with (and commanded) 899 Squadron it may be he served at Sicily and Salerno where 899 suffered serious losses to deck-landing accidents. The intimation in the above article being that he was given a shore posting as an instructor because of "twitch".

He claimed at least one kill as a pilot with 1836 squadron in October 1944, but I wonder if he should be credited with a second in 12 April 1945? He states that his flight caught a Zeke and send him into the sea.

regards

Keith

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

According to Sturtevant's books, Edmundson was C.O. of 889 sqdn. from April to June 1944, during which period it flew Seafires from Colombo Racecourse and HMS Atheling.

On 19 October 1944, while with 1836 sqdn. he shot down a Ki43 in the Nicobar Islands. Still with 1836, he was killed on 20 May 1945 when he was hit by AA over Formosa and crashed at sea.

I don't know whether this helps with your question about "Skipper", but there does not seem to be any time for "twitch".

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

Many thanks George. He was born 1921. His name was James Brooke Edmundson and he the son of Major George Ewbank Edmundson, R.A., and Lilian Doris Edmundson. He attended Sherborne School 1935-38.

"James Brooke Edmundson (d, '35-'38). James Brooke Edmundson came to Sherborne as a scholar in 1935. During his three years here he quickly made his mark and in that short time he became a House Prefect. He passed into the R.N. by Special Entry at his first attempt and we felt robbed of a valuable personality. He had endeared himself to everyone and gained their admiration by his strength of character. After some service in the Executive branch of the R.N., he transferred during the war to the F.A.A. While stationed at Henstridge he frequently visited Sherborne and it was clear that he had matured into an outstanding man. No sooner had he qualified as a pilot than he went east in an escort carrier. In January 1945 he was awarded the D.S.C. for gallantry in air operations, but it was typical of his modesty that in his last letter the only mention of his flying activities was that he had crashed his aeroplane. The news of his death came at the end of May. He was leading a fighter patrol over the Sakishima Islands when his aircraft was hit by flak. He attempted to bring his damaged aircraft back, but his engine gave out and he was killed instantly when his aircraft hit the sea. So was cut short a very promising career (he was already a Lieutenant-Commander at the age of 23) and a strong, lovable, and generous man has gone.

All this seems to dismiss a period of sea duty, but more than one lowly-ranked JB Edmundson RN seems unlikely.

regards

Keith

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

Hello,

From Seedie's List of Fleet Air Arm Awards 1939-1969 (Ripley Registers,1990):

H M S VICTORIOUS. Fleet Carrier. Commissioned March 1941. Modernised and recommissioned in March 1958. Paid off in March 1968. (p.84).

London Gazette, 30 January 1945 - Operation MILLET - Air strikes on Nancowry Island and bombardment of Nicobar in October 1944.

Person & Service if not RN: EDMUNDSON, James Brooke.
Rank/Rating: Lt (A).
Award: DSC.
Investiture: Next of Kin. (p.88).

H M S VICTORIOUS.

London Gazette, 31 July 1945 Operation ICEBERG - Air strikes on the Sakishima Islands on 26 March 1945.

Person & Service if not RN: EDMUNDSON, James Brooke.
Rank/Rating: ALtCdr (A).
Award: MID.
Investiture: Not available. (pp.88-89).

Col.

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

LtCdr "Fadge" Pennington, the c.o. of 889 Squadron was killed on 24 April 1944, and after a further accident 30 Aoril that cost the squadron two pilots and three ground crew, it was decided to disembark the squadron.

I have since found that Edmundson was with 834 Flight/Squadron which links up nicely because he was one of several pilots from that group that transferred with Pennington to 889.

regards

Keith

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

On the subject of his sea duty I have found he served on five different ships including those highlighted in my earlier post.

regards

Keith

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

Keith,

In addition to Edmundson's claim on 19 Oct 44, Air War for Burma shows him claiming a Ki 44 damaged on 24 Jan 45 flying Corsair II (JT528) coded T8L (1836 Sqn.)

There is a photo in The Seafire by David Brown which shows five pilots of 834 Sqn., one of whom is said to be Edmundson. All five are also said to be New Zealanders.

As for 12 April 45, the thread below shows Sub-Lt. P. Hemingway credited with the Zero.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...highlight=1834

Regards,
Tom

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

I have P. Hemmingway (the spelling in the London Gazette) scoring on 17 April 1945 as well which means that he got two victories, and for that reason I find it odd that he isn't decorated at all.

regards

Keith

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

Cheers Tom for the heads up on Edmundson in the Seafire book. I may have to grab a copy...:)

Re: LtCdr JB Edmundson
 

[quote=keith A;277971]I have P. Hemmingway (the spelling in the London Gazette) scoring on 17 April 1945 as well which means that he got two victories, and for that reason I find it odd that he isn't decorated at all.

The spelling is shown with both with one "m" or two, even from the same source. For example the London Gazette has one "m" here:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...6590/page/3100

and two here:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...7718/page/4515

Even the Navy List is confused, showing him as "P. Hemmingway" in the alphabetical list of RNVR officers while later in the same issue, in the listing by rank and seniority, he is shown as "Philip Hemingway" This seems to be consistent for all issues from April 44 through July 45!

Sturtivant in FAA Aircraft 39-45 uses the two "m" version concerning the claim on 17 April 45. On page 478, Sturtivant indicates uncertainty whether Hemmingway (in Corsair II 145/P) and Sub-Lt. Ronald Watt (in 140/P) each had individual victories or shared the destruction of one "Zeke 32."

Regards,
Tom